Members

Orton lived up to the hype, leaving West Lafayette as a member of the Cradle of Quarterbacks and one of the most accomplished signal-callers in program history. He passed for 9,337 yards and 63 touchdowns, both fourth all-time at Purdue, and set the school record for lowest interception rate. He became one of only 12 quarterbacks in college football history to start in four consecutive bowl games. Orton appeared in six games as a freshman in 2001, splitting time with Brandon Hance, before attempting 74 passes in the Sun Bowl, setting an NCAA bowl game record, He rotated at quarterback with Brandon Kirsch his sophomore season before he was named Sun Bowl Most Valuable Player after completing 25 of 37 passes for 283 yards with two touchdowns in a win over Washington. One of his most memorable moments at Purdue came his sophomore season when he saved Purdue’s bowl hopes against Michigan State. After standing on the sideline in the cold for over three hours, he came in on a 4th-and-8 to throw a 40-yard touchdown pass to John Standeford, then a twopoint conversion pass to Taylor Stubblefield to give Purdue a 45-42 win. Orton was an honorable mention All-Big Ten by coaches and media in 2003, when he set a school record with an interception percentage of 1.69. Orton ranked third in the Big Ten with 221.9 passing yards per game and fifth with 127.7 passing efficiency. A preseason third team All-American in 2004, Orton was the Heisman frontrunner in October after throwing for 18 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in the first five games of the season, leading Purdue to a 5-0 record, No. 5 ranking nationally, and a College Gameday experience to West Lafayette. Despite missing multiple games due to injury, he threw for 3,090 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just five interceptions While his numbers were impressive, Orton is remembered for his toughness as well. During the Capital One Bowl against Georgia his senior season, when he played with a dislocated thumb, a sprained toe and a cracked rib.